Johns Hopkins University has suspended the Sigma Chi fraternity because of a "Halloween in the Hood" party that drew protests by black students.

The invitation to the party, posted on the website Facebook, encouraged guests to wear "regional clothing from our locale" with jewelry including "bling bling ice ice, grills" and "hoochie hoops."

The party, held Saturday night at the fraternity house, featured a skeleton pirate hanging on a noose.

Black Student Union members protested the party on Monday, saying the appearance of the image and the language on the invitation highlighted racial tensions at Hopkins and the strained relations between the university and the surrounding community.

Protesters held signs showing a historical lynching next to a picture of the fraternity's skeleton.

"We need to educate the student body because apparently some people weren't given much of a proper lesson in the history of our country," said Yasmene Mumby, 20, a junior and BSU member.

University officials suspended all the fraternity's activities pending a full investigation. President William Brody said in a statement that he was "personally offended" and called the matter "deeply disturbing."

Sigma Chi's international headquarters on Monday also ordered the chapter's operations suspended for 45 days and said a full investigation was underway. It said further disciplinary action was possible.

"We are naturally very concerned about these allegations, and are committed to holding every one of our members accountable to our fraternity's values of friendship, justice and learning," Mark Anderson, executive secretary of Sigma Chi, said on the fraternity's website.

More than 100 students attended a campus forum Monday night before a panel of top administrators. Three men who identified themselves as Sigma Chi members stood up during the meeting and apologized for the actions of the author of the invitation, calling it shameful.

Now this i think would cause some racial tension! I see where the frat was just trying to have some fun and party down but they may have ruffeld a few feathers.

Motion

11-01-2006, 01:38 PM

Now this i think would cause some racial tension! I see where the frat was just trying to have some fun and party down but they may have ruffeld a few feathers.

word

greatwade

11-01-2006, 01:38 PM

Johns Hopkins University has suspended the Sigma Chi fraternity because of a "Halloween in the Hood" party that drew protests by black students.

The invitation to the party, posted on the website Facebook, encouraged guests to wear "regional clothing from our locale" with jewelry including "bling bling ice ice, grills" and "hoochie hoops."

The party, held Saturday night at the fraternity house, featured a skeleton pirate hanging on a noose.

Black Student Union members protested the party on Monday, saying the appearance of the image and the language on the invitation highlighted racial tensions at Hopkins and the strained relations between the university and the surrounding community.

Protesters held signs showing a historical lynching next to a picture of the fraternity's skeleton.

"We need to educate the student body because apparently some people weren't given much of a proper lesson in the history of our country," said Yasmene Mumby, 20, a junior and BSU member.

University officials suspended all the fraternity's activities pending a full investigation. President William Brody said in a statement that he was "personally offended" and called the matter "deeply disturbing."

Sigma Chi's international headquarters on Monday also ordered the chapter's operations suspended for 45 days and said a full investigation was underway. It said further disciplinary action was possible.

"We are naturally very concerned about these allegations, and are committed to holding every one of our members accountable to our fraternity's values of friendship, justice and learning," Mark Anderson, executive secretary of Sigma Chi, said on the fraternity's website.

More than 100 students attended a campus forum Monday night before a panel of top administrators. Three men who identified themselves as Sigma Chi members stood up during the meeting and apologized for the actions of the author of the invitation, calling it shameful.

As for the skeleton hanging from a noose..... what a reach.
Anyone ever seen the exact Halloween decor at someone's house? My neighbor has a couple of Grim Reapers hanging from ropes in his tree. Should I protest his house?

I'm surprised the group didn't complain about ghost decorations being a symbol of the racist slang "spook".

I'm so sick of specific groups looking for anything they can to twist into a racial platform that they can jump up and down and scream about.

At our campus one year one of the black frats had a Heavy metal rocker party. Guys were dressed up in big hair, tight pants with zebra stripes etc. Some even face painted themselves white to fit the bill. I don't recall one person having a hissy fit over that. I thought it was hysterical and it was a good party idea. They also had a Hillbilly party which was hysterical but didn't make national healines for racism nor should it have. Not to mention they and other groups had Pimp and Hoe parties which featured the exact same type of dress as the party being lambasted in the article.

Bottom line is that the only thing these kids were guilty of is being naive.
They should have known that in today's world they would be drug through the mud for having a theme party of this sort.

Pagan

11-01-2006, 02:13 PM

Or you could always have a pagan themed party, and have everybody come worship the devil :tongue: